Xacuti Masala Pulav – A simple corn pulav bursting with the flavors of Goan xacuti masala made in Instant Pot. A perfect pulav for any occasion. Check out the full recipe of this Goan xacuti masala pulav with detailed pictures.
Last year, I shared the Goan mushroom xacuti recipe, and we loved it. I had leftover masala, and I used it for spicing up my dry curries, especially potatoes, and on a whim, I tried making rice with it, and it turned out great as well. When I about to post the xacuti masala rice/pulav recipe, I got to know the theme for this year which is biryanis and pulao. So like, qubooli biryani, I had put a hold on this recipe as well. I want to post it for the alphabet X, and here I am doing the same. :-)
You can read more about the xacuti masala in my Goan mushroom xacuti post.
Xacuti Masala & The Pulav:
Like Calcutta biryani, the masala list might sound lengthy, but it’s quite easy to make and nothing exotic as well. Err except for black-stone flower. You can skip it if you can’t source it. Also, you can make it well ahead and store it. Once you have the masala ready, it is straightforward to make the pulav. You can use any veggies that you have in hand and make this delicious rice.
It’s perfect for the lunch box and also for any parties or potlucks. The flavor is distinct, and it is for sure a crowd-pleaser.
Now without any further ado, let me share how to make this xacuti masala pulav in Instant Pot.
Ingredients:
- For the Xacuti Masala:
- ¾ tbsp poppy seeds
- ¾ tbsp white sesame seeds
- ½ tbsp unroasted peanuts
- 2 tbsp unsweetened desiccated coconut
- ½ tbsp coriander seeds
- 2 dried red chilies
- Three cloves
- Three cardamom
- 1.5-inch cinnamon stick
- 1 Black Stone Flower
- 1 Mace
- ½ tsp fennel seeds
- ¼ tsp mustard seeds
- ⅛ tsp fenugreek seeds
- Other Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp oil
- One onion
- ½ cup corn
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup basmati rice soaked for 15 mts and drained
- 1.25 cups water
- ¼ cup cilantro
Prepare the Xacuti Masala:
- In a pan, dry roast all the ingredients given under “For the Xacuti Masala” until the sesame seeds pop. (Four to Five minutes) Ensure you dry roast over low heat.
- Allow it cool and grind it coarsely. Peanuts add the required moisture, so do not add any additional water.
Prepare the Xacuti Masala Rice:
Prep – Work:
- Prepare the masala as mentioned above.
- If you are using frozen corn, thaw it to room temperature.
- Chop the onion and set aside.
- Wash and soak the basmati rice for 15 minutes and drain.
Steps:
- Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and when the display shows “HOT,” add the oil.
- After 30 seconds, add the chopped onion and cook until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Then add the corn, prepared xacuti masala(the entire masala) and salt.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Then add the rice and water.
- Scrape the bottom and mix thoroughly. And then add the cilantro on top and mix gently.
- Press the cancel button and then close the Instant Pot lid and make sure the vent is in the sealing position. Press the “Rice” preset button and when the cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally.
- Carefully open the lid after releasing the pressure and allow the pulav to cool for 5 minutes. Then fluff it up with a fork.
- Serve hot with raita or curd.
Recipe Notes-
- Adjust the salt and spices according to your preference.
- You can make the xacuti masala well-ahead and store in an air-tight container.
- I added corn alone, but you can include other veggies as well but not more than 1 cup. If you are using 1 cup of vegetables, then add 1 ⅓ cup of water.
📖 Recipe
Xacuti Masala Pulav | Instant Pot Version
Ingredients
For the Xacuti Masala:
- ¾ tbsp poppy seeds
- ¾ tbsp white sesame seeds
- ½ tbsp peanuts unroasted
- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut unsweetened
- ½ tbsp coriander seeds
- 2 dried red chilies
- 3 cloves
- 3 cardamom
- 1.5- inch cinnamon stick
- 1 Black Stone Flower
- 1 Mace
- ½ tsp fennel seeds
- ¼ tsp mustard seeds
- ⅛ tsp fenugreek seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Xacuti Masala:In a pan, dry roast all the ingredients given under "For the Xacuti Masala" until the sesame seeds pop. (Four to Five minutes) Ensure you dry roast over low heat.
- Allow it cool and grind it coarsely. Peanuts add the required moisture, so do not add any additional water.
- Prepare the Xacuti Masala Rice:Prep - Work:Prepare the masala as mentioned above.
- If you are using frozen corn, thaw it to room temperature.
- Chop the onion and set aside.
- Wash and soak the basmati rice for 15 minutes and drain.
- Steps:Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and when the display shows "HOT," add the oil.
- After 30 seconds, add the chopped onion and cook until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Then add the corn, prepared xacuti masala(the entire masala) and salt.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Then add the rice and water.
- Scrape the bottom and mix thoroughly. And then add the cilantro on top and mix gently.
- Press the cancel button and then close the Instant Pot lid and make sure the vent is in the sealing position. Press the “Rice” preset button and when the cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally.
- Carefully open the lid after releasing the pressure and allow the pulav to cool for 5 minutes. Then fluff it up with a fork.
- Serve hot with raita or curd.
Notes
- Adjust the salt and spices according to your preference.
- You can make the xacuti masala well-ahead and store in an air-tight container.
- I added corn alone, but you can include other veggies as well but not more than 1 cup. If you are using 1 cup of vegetables, then add 1 ⅓ cup of water.
Nutrition
I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.
Awesome, thanks for sharing. Tried this recipe, it came out very well. This is the first time am commenting in a blog.
Thank you so much. Really appreciate it.
If I have premade Xacuti masala, how many tablespoons or teaspoons of xacuti masala I should use?
Sorry for the late response. I would start with 2 tbsps at least.
Wow! The Xacuti pulav came out god n very delicious .. thanks Vidya for sharing the recipe!! Your recipes are always handy , healthy n most importantly tasty …. also tried moong dal (with skin) with tamarind …curry , wow we loved both of these dishes .. thanks a billion Vidhya for sharing all wonderful recipes!!
Thanks a ton. Glad it came out well :-)
Xacuti rice is the star for today!! Loved everyone’s version. Initially I thought we get xacuti masala in stores, but then came to know that it is homemade. Shall try it sometime soon.
Oh yeah. A lot of xacuti masala recipes today!
Can’t stop drooling over the pics.. really a delicious pulao with xacuti masala..
Thanks Sharmila.
Thank you for sharing the xacuti masala recipe. After reading all post on this xacuti masala I was curious. The masala, the rice all looks so delicious and flavourful
:-) Thanks Renu
You saved this for over a year! awesome and I know we are crazy people heheheh..this rice looks and sounds fantastic Srividhya..wonderful pick and yes Xacuti is surely the dish of the day!
Thanks Valli. I already started saving few dishes for next year ;-)
Xacuti recipes are everywhere today. I love the variety of recipes you guys have come up with. So innovative. This rice looks fabulous and must be so flavourful with the xacuti masala.
Oh yeah… I was amazed by the xacuti recipes as well. Thanks, Gayathri.
Wow! that is a long list of ingredients for the xacuti masala. Very flavorful . I shall try this variation to the masala.
Yup it’s a long list but quite easy to make yaar.
So many varieties of xacuti recipes. I must try this recipes sometime soon. Your dish looks absolutely delicious.
Xacuti is kind of star of the day. :-) Please do try Sushma. You will love it.
I got to see quite interesting versions of xacuti rice dishes today and your corn pulao with xacuti masala sounds very tempting. I used to prepare this xacuti masala earlier but tried a different version this time. It is quite spicy and flavorful.
Oh wow… Let me check it out. I know I saw a lot of Xacuti recipes today. I think its the star of the day.
Xacuti masala looks very very tempting , super flavourful ! I can literally get the aroma of the spice blend , obviously it must have made the rice delicious .
Saving it in your drafts for so long is not easy , ask me – I have some saved for September ! :))
oh wow, already for September huh? Great Vaishali and between thanks much!